Where to start withStar Trek: The Next Generation
5 versions · originally a series, 1987
Themes: Exploration, Diplomacy, Moral Dilemmas, Encountering the Unknown, Technological Advancement.
Start with Star Trek: The Next Generation (Gene Roddenberry, 1987) — the series. Star Trek: The Next Generation exists in 5 versions across media, beginning as a series in 1987; each is ranked below by what it does best.
These stories explore the intricate moral dilemmas and diplomatic challenges faced by Starfleet crews navigating the vast, unknown reaches of space.
✦ Most fans start here
Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
The original tv
✦ Start hereStar Trek: The Next Generation
Gene Roddenberry · Series · 1987
Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987) serves as the definitive foundation for the franchise, centering on Captain Jean-Luc Picard’s leadership aboard the Enterprise and the crew's pursuit of peaceful exploration.
1993 series
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Rick Berman · Series · 1993
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993) shifts the perspective to a stationary outpost, offering a gritty, complex examination of wartime politics and social dynamics near a strategic wormhole gateway.
1995 series
Star Trek: Voyager
Jeri Taylor · Series · 1995
Star Trek: Voyager (1995) emphasizes the isolation of a crew stranded in uncharted territory, focusing on the necessity of cooperation between Starfleet officers and rebels to survive the journey home.
2020 series
Star Trek: Picard
Alex Kurtzman · Series · 2020
Star Trek: Picard (2020) provides a reflective look at the later life of a legendary leader, exploring the personal legacy and retirement of Admiral Jean-Luc Picard decades after his prime.
2020 series
Star Trek: Lower Decks
Mike McMahan · Series · 2020
Star Trek: Lower Decks (2020) highlights the daily grind of the support crew, offering a comedic and grounded look at the lives of ensigns serving on a less significant Starfleet ship.
Common questions
Should I watch Star Trek: Deep Space Nine after finishing Star Trek: The Next Generation?
Yes, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine is a direct successor to Star Trek: The Next Generation. It explores the political and military tensions of the same universe, providing a darker, serialized contrast to the episodic nature of the earlier series.
Is Star Trek: Picard a continuation of the story from Star Trek: The Next Generation?
Yes, Star Trek: Picard follows the later life of Jean-Luc Picard, the central captain from Star Trek: The Next Generation. It bridges the gap between the events of the original series and the modern era of the franchise.
What order should I watch Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Voyager, and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine?
These shows aired chronologically starting with Star Trek: The Next Generation in 1987, followed by Star Trek: Deep Space Nine in 1993, and Star Trek: Voyager in 1995. Watching them in release order allows you to follow the expansion of the universe as it was originally presented.
How does Star Trek: Lower Decks relate to Star Trek: The Next Generation?
Star Trek: Lower Decks is an animated series set in the same timeline as Star Trek: The Next Generation. It focuses on the support crew of a Starfleet vessel, offering a comedic perspective on the events and technology established in the 1987 series.